Hormetic response of cultured normal and tumor cells to 2-aminotropone derivatives.

We have recently reported that out of twenty benzo[b]cyclohept[e][1,4]oxazines and their S-analogs, and 2-aminotropone derivatives, 7-bromo-2-(4-hydroxyanilino) tropone and 4-isopropyl-2-(2-hydroxyanilino)tropone showed the highest tumor-specificity in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. To gain more insight into the anti-tumor actions of these compounds, whether they induce the growth stimulation effect observed at low concentrations, known as hormesis, was investigated using a total of ten human normal, and tumor cultured cells. The tumor-specificity of both compounds became apparent 48 hours after the start of treatment of the cells with these compounds and reached a maximum level at 72 and 96 hours: On the other hand, their growth stimulator effects were most prominent at 24 hours, especially in normal skin and lung fibroblasts, but rapidly disappeared with prolonged incubation time (48-96 hours). These data suggest the occurrence of a hormetic response only at restricted times and concentrations as has been previously reported, although the biological significance is yet to be elucidated.